Land guards on rampage, kill one, injure three

The bullet-ridden body of a 32-year-old man believed to have been killed by land guards has been found in a bush at Amanfrom, near Accra.

The victim has so far been identified only as Awal and the police say his body has since been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra pending autopsy.

Two other persons, identified as the Chief Executive Officer of Irroko Estates, Mr. Ofori, and a man who was with him, Mr. Kojo Abankwa, sustained gunshot wounds and are currently on admission at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

Mr. Ofori, who was shot in the elbow and upper limb, was still unconscious as of yesterday, while Mr. Abankwa, who was shot in the left thigh and left elbow, had regained consciousness.

The Adentan Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr. Stephen Kofi Ahiatafu, told the Daily Graphic that the police had information about 4 p.m. on Saturday that a group of land guards had attacked an estate developer and two others while they were on their way to see a piece of land.

He said the police proceeded to the scene and found an old Land Rover, with registration number GE 749 W, which had bullet marks all over it.

The rear and front windscreens, as well as the side mirrors, were smashed, the left front tyre had also been deflated by gunshots, while the driver’s seat and the doors had bloodstains on them.

Mr. Ahiatafu said the police found the body of the deceased about 300 metres from the car.

Police investigations also established that about 2 p.m. on Friday one Jonathan Ablade had been assaulted by land guards with cement blocks and clubs on the same piece of land.

The victim sustained wounds all over his body and was admitted to the Legon Hospital. According to the police commander, the land in question was in dispute because the people of Oshiyie, Amanfrom and Katamanso were all claiming ownership.

No suspect has been arrested yet.

The police have since intensified their patrols in the area, while investigations continue.